Method and system for insulating frame member

Abstract

An insulation system, for use with transport vehicle structural frame members, having at least a first structural frame member and adjacent structural frame members in a transport vehicle. Each structural frame member has a first free end, a second end attached to a transport vehicle wall, and two sides disposed between the first and second ends. The system has at least one flexible insulation member wrapped over the first free end and over at least portions of the two sides, and at least first and second self-retaining foam insulation members positioned on each side of the wrapped first structural frame member and disposed in compression fit between each side of the wrapped first structural frame member and each of the adjacent structural frame members. The foam insulation members impart one or more compression forces on the flexible insulation member to secure it in place without use of any fastener device.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An insulation system for use with transport vehicle structural frame members, the insulation system comprising:
 at least a first structural frame member and one or more adjacent structural frame members in a transport vehicle, each structural frame member having a first free end, a second end attached to a transport vehicle wall, and two sides disposed between the first free end and the second end; 
 a flexible insulation member wrapped over both the first free end and the two sides of each structural frame member to obtain a wrapped structural frame member, the flexible insulation member not wrapped over the second end of each structural frame member; and, 
 at least first and second self-retaining foam insulation members positioned adjacent to the wrapped first free end and the wrapped sides of each wrapped structural frame member and disposed in compression fit between each wrapped side of the wrapped structural frame member and each of the one or more adjacent structural frame members; 
 wherein the first and second self-retaining foam insulation members impart one or more compression forces on the at least one flexible insulation member to secure the at least one flexible insulation member in place without use of any fastener device. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the transport vehicle comprises an aircraft, an aerospace vehicle, a space launch vehicle, a rocket, a satellite, a rotorcraft, a watercraft, a boat, a train, an automobile, a truck, or a bus. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising multiple structural frame members positioned in parallel along a length of one or more transport vehicle walls. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 3 , wherein each of the multiple structural frame members is wrapped with the at least one flexible insulation member, and each of the at least one flexible insulation members is secured in place by each of the at least first and second self-retaining foam insulation members disposed in compression fit between the one or more adjacent structural frame members. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least first and second self-retaining foam insulation members comprise an open cell foam; a polymeric, cellular solid foam; a melamine foam; or a closed cell foam. 
     
     
       6. An aircraft frame member insulation system in an aircraft, the system comprising:
 at least a first aircraft frame member and one or more adjacent aircraft frame members positioned in an aircraft interior, each of the aircraft frame members having a first free end, a second end attached to an aircraft fuselage wall, and two sides disposed between the first free end and the second end; 
 a flexible insulation member wrapped over both the first free end and the two sides of each aircraft frame member to obtain a wrapped aircraft frame member, the flexible insulation member not wrapped over the second end of each structural frame member; and, 
 at least first and second self-retaining foam insulation members positioned adjacent to the wrapped first free end and the wrapped sides of each wrapped aircraft frame member and disposed in compression fit between each wrapped side of the wrapped aircraft frame member and each of the one or more adjacent aircraft frame members; 
 wherein the first and second self-retaining foam insulation members impart one or more compression forces on the at least one flexible insulation member to secure the at least one flexible insulation member in place without use of any fastener device. 
 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 6 , further comprising multiple aircraft frame members positioned in parallel along a length of one or more aircraft fuselage walls. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 7 , wherein each of the multiple aircraft frame members is wrapped with the at least one flexible insulation member, and each of the at least one flexible insulation members is secured in place by each of the at least first and second self-retaining foam insulation members disposed in compression fit between the one or more adjacent aircraft frame members. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 6 , wherein the at least first and second self-retaining foam insulation members comprise an open cell foam; a polymeric, cellular solid foam; a melamine foam; or a closed cell foam. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 6 , further comprising an insulation assembly comprising the at least one flexible insulation member, one of the self-retaining foam insulation members, and a coupling element configured to couple the at least one flexible insulation member to the self-retaining form insulation member. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 10 , wherein the coupling element comprises an adhesive tape, a hook and loop tape, a glue, or a plastic bag configured to fit snugly around the at least one flexible insulation member and the self-retaining foam insulation member. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 6 , wherein each of the at least first and second self-retaining foam insulation members has a density of from about 0.3 pounds per cubic foot to about 1.5 pounds per cubic foot. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one flexible insulation member comprises an insulation blanket, fiberglass batting, fiberglass batting inside a plastic covering, an insulating fabric material, a flexible polyimide foam, or a flexible melamine foam.